Harness connector for looms



July 25, 1944,. A. E.BR|CKMAN HARNESS CONNECTOR FOR LOOMS Filed March 17, 1942 INVENTOR l Patented July 2.5, 1944 HARNESS coNNEc'ron. Foa Looms Alan E. Brickman. Monongahela, Pa., assignor to The American Steel and Wire Company of New Jersey, a corporation of New Jersey Application March 17, 1942, Serial No. 435,095

11 Claims.

This invention relates to looms and, particularly, to an improved adjustable harness connector therefor.

There are provided generally, in looms, harness frames by means of which the warp threads are raised and lowered. Each harness frame is usually operated by means of connectors including dobby cords which aresecured at one end to the harness frame and extend around sheaves arranged on the loom frame, with the opposite end connected to a suitablev actuating means, such as a lever or jack of a dobby. Such connectors must be ilexible, at least in the portion v extending around the sheave, and they should be' adjustable as to their length in order to insure the proper operation of theharness frame in the formation of the shed. That is, the connectors should be adjustable so that the correct position of the warp threads relative to the race may be obtained by adjusting the length thereof. The connectors should also be adjustable so as to provide for such changes as may be necessary due to changes in the weave, wear ofthe parts of the loom, or adjustment of` the actuating mechanism. Y

Various types of harness connectors have been suggested and used. Many oi' these connectors were unsatisfactory in that they included too many wear-producing connections and parts,

thereby requiring frequent adjustment andreplacement of parts and dobby cords. Furthermore. such connectors'usually employed two or more dobby cords or straps. Such cords or straps would lwear andV stretch and cause changes in the shed which, in turn, reflect on the shuttle travel. -These cords or straps would then have to be replaced, ywhich was inconvenient, as well -as expensive.

Also, the harness frame, in its movement,

would tend to transmit a whipping action to the;

Accordingly. it is one vof the objects of they present invention toprovide an improved harness connector for looms which is simple and inexj pensive in its construction and use, and, at the same time, one that is emcient and eifective in all respects. f

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved harness connector for looms consisting of a minimum number ofvparts and connections, thereby reducing maintenance and replacement costs.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved harness connector for looms which can be easily land conveniently adjusted as to length so as to insure the proper movemen of the harness frames.

It is still another object of my invention to provide an improved harness connector for looms whereby any whipping action transmitted thereto is reduced to a minimum and absorbed thereby so that the connector will not become displaced from its operating position.

. Various other objects and advantages of this invention will become more apparent during -the course of the followingv speciilcation and will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying ldrawing there is shown,

for the purpose of illustration, one embodiment which my invention may assume in practice. c

In this drawing:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic front elevation of connector for connecting the same to thedobby jack or harness actuator; v

`Figure `3 is a detail view of the opposite end thereof showing the meansarranged therewith for adjusting the length of. my harness connector;

35 Figure 4 is an enlarged side elevation of ythe sapin means for adjusting the length of my harness connector, as shownin Figure 3: and

or sheave stands arranged thereon. with each supporting arotatable-sheave I. There is pro- 'vided a dobby'jackor harness frame actuator l having a pluralityvof spaced apart notches ,i

Varranged along the outer edge thereof and a harness frame l having a pairof hooks l arranged 'along the top edge th'reof.- It will be understood that-thc Jack-cr harness frame actuator l is actuated reciprocably by mechanism (not shown) so as tomovejthe harness frame 1 averticalplanebymeansofaconnecting ness irame to which the present invention relates.

The improved harness connector of my invention comprises a longitudinally extending rodlike jack member 9 preferably made of wire and having an eye portion l arranged on the outer end thereof. The jack eye portion Ill is preferably a die-cast member which is preferably cast directly upon the end of the rode-like member 9 so as to provide an eye-shaped terminal on the end thereof. On the inner periphery of the eye portion I0 at a point directly opposite the connection of the rod-like member 9 therewith there is disposed a ball-like bearing portion I2. The ball-like portion I2 is preferably a steel bearing ball which is cast in the die metal of the eye portion I0 by the insert method, in a manner similar to that in which the end of the rodlike member 9 is cast therein, as shown in Figure 2 of the drawing. u l

On the opposite end oi' the rod-like member, there is positioned a longitudinally extending adinstable member I3 having a relatively large longitudinally extending hole Il arranged in the inner end thereof. There is arranged along and longitudinally of the member I3 intermediate the length thereof, as's'hown in Figures 3, 4, and 5 of the drawing, a plurality of spaced apart notches or recesses I5 which 'are provided to adjust the length vof the connector in a manner hereinafterto be described. There is arranged in the upperl side of thememberV I3, and communicating with the notches I3 therein, preferably a longitudinally extending groove Ia having a contour similar to that of the rod-like member 9 with-which it cooperates. The endl of the rodlike member` 9 opposite that from the end having the yeye portion I0 arranged thereon, extends through the hole I4 in the end of the adjustable l.

Figures 3 and4. That is, the end of the rod 9 is bent outwardly substantially perpendicular to the axis of the rod-like member 9 so as to provide a finger-like projection on the extreme end thereof.

In the extreme outer end of the adjustable.

member I3 there is` arranged an elliptical-shaped hole I1, and between that portion of the member I3, in which the hole is arranged, and the notches or recesses V*Iii arranged therein, there is disposed, on one side of the adjustable member I3, preferably a wedge hook-shaped portion I8, for a purpose hereinafter to be described.

The improved harness connector of my invention is assembled on the loom mechanism in a manner clearly shown in the drawing. The eye portion l0' nts over and around the dobby jack 5 of the loom, and the ball-like portion I2 carried by the eye portion I0 ts in any one of the notches 9 carried 'bythe jack I, as is clearly shown in Figures 1 andv 2 of the drawing.. 'I'here is arranged between the dobby jack and tHe inner periphery of the eye portion III, vat a point directly opposite from the ball-like portion I2 carried thereby, preferably a wedge member I9 made of a yieldable material, preferably rubber, so as to jlfiedably lock the eye portion I0 on the dobby Jac e The outer end of the adjustable member I3 is connected to a flexible connecting member or harness cord 20 which passes over, and around the sheaves 4, with the terminals thereof connected to the, hooks 8 disposed on the top oi the harness frame?.l It is preferable that the flexible member or harness cord 20 be of the type disclosed in the Brickman et al. Patents Nos. 2,211,615 and 2,152,397. The iiexible member or harness-'cord 20 is connected to the adjustable member I3 intermediate the length of the harness cord by folding the same upon itself so as to provide a loop portion vintermediate the length thereof. The'loop portion is threaded or inserted through the elliptical-shaped hole i1 in the end 4of the adjustableV member I3 and is positioned over and around the hook-shaped portion or wedge hook I9 carried by the adjustable member. It will be seen that the hook-shaped portion Il, together with the hole I1, locks the dobby cord 29 in position so as to prevent either side of the dobby oord from being pulled therethrough or otherwisemoved from position, due to the wedging action of the hook-shaped portion.

In lthe hole Il arranged on the inner end of the adjustable member I3, there is disposed n yieldable wedge member 2| preferably made of rubber. similar to the wedge member I9, so as to lock the end of the rod-like member 9 in position just the length of the connector, as shown in relative to the adjustable member I3 so as to prevent accidental movement of the same relative to the rod-like member. I

In order to adjust the length of the improved harness connector of my invention, so as to raise or lower the position of the harness frame I in order to adjust the relation ofthe shed to the shuttle race, it will be understood that the wedge member 2| is first loosened in or removed from the hole I4. The adjustable member I3 is then moved along the rod-like member 9 until the overall length of the connector is of the desired length. 'I'he hook-like portion I9 on the end of the rod-like member 9 is then positioned in the notch I5 of the adjustable member I3 directly opposite thereto. The wedge 2| is then secured in place in the hole I4 so as to lock the adjustable member I3 on the end of the rod-like member 9. If it is desired to adjust the vertical travel of the harness frame 1, it is necessary to adjust the eye portion III on the jack 9. This is accomplished by removing or freeing the wedge I9 and moving the eye portion lo opposite the proper notch 9 in the jack 5 and positioning the ball-like bearing portion |2 in the proper notch. 'I'he wedge I9 is then secured in place between the jack I and the inner periphery of the eye portion I0 so as to prevent the ball-like portion'l2 from being displaced from the notch in which it has been positioned. e

As a result of my invention, it will be seen that there is provided a harness connector which consists of a minimum number of wear-producing parts, thus reducing replacement and maintenance costs to a minimum. It will also be seen that the improved harness connector of my in- `vention can be easily and accurately adjusted as to length in order to satisfy any operating condition withn the loom. It will be seen also that all the connecting parts of my improved connector are `free and flexible, thereby eliminating the danger of'any binding action of the parts.

Furthermore, it will be seenthat there is pro` vided a harness connector .whereinany whipping action is eliminated'or reduce'dijto a minimum thereby eliminating theaanfrfbf'the displace;

ment of the connector and its adjustable parts @from their adjusted and operable position. It will be understood that any whipping action to which my improved connector is subjected will ybe readily absorbed thereby, due to the construction thereof.

While I have showng'and described one specific embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that this embodiment is merely for the purposeA of illustration and description and that various other forms may beV devised within the vscope of my invention, as defined in the apmember made of a yieldable material ,arrangedl within the eye portion in back of said actuator between the same and the inner side of said eye portion for holding the same yieldably in engagement with said harness actuator whereby a clatterless connection is provided therebetween, means arranged on the opposite end of said longitudinally extending member for adjusting the length thereof, and a. flexible member for' connecting said adjustable means to the harness frame and extending therefrom over and around the harness sheave. Y

2. In a loom having a harness frame, sheave, and a harness jack having a plurality of notches arranged along one edge thereof, a harness connector comprising a longitudinally extending member having an eye portion arranged on one end thereof which fits around the harness jack, said eye portion having a ball-like portion arranged on the inner periphery thereof on the side thereof opposite from said longitudinally extending member which is disposed in any one of the notches in said jack, a wedge-shaped memx portion is held securelyin position on said jack,

'an adjustable member arranged on the opposite end of said rod-like member for 'adjusting the length of the lconnector, said adjustable mem-v ber having a hole arranged in one end thereof through which said rod-like member is adapted to extend, a hook-like portion arranged on that end of saidrodlike member, said adjustable member having a plurality of notches arranged therealong intermediate the length thereof with whichY the hook-like portion on the end of said rod-like member is adapted to cooperate to lock the adjustable member thereon so as to prevent movement of the same relative thereto, a flexible member for connecting said adjustable member to the harness frame and which is adapted to extend over and around the harness sheave, and

ber made of a yieldable material arranged within said eye portion in back of said jack between the same and the inner side of said eye portion directly opposite the ball-like portion thereof ,for holding the-balllikeportion yieldably in position in the notch in which it is disposed so that said eye portion is held yieldablyin engagement with said jack whereby a clatterless connection is provided therebetween, means arranged on the opposite end of said longitudinally extending member for adjusting the length of the connector, vand a exible member for connecting said adjustable means to the harness frame and extending therefrom over and around the harness sheave. g

3. In a loom having a harness frame, sheave, and a harness jack having a plurality of notches arranged along one edge thereof, a harness connector comprising a` longitudinally extending rod-like member having an eye portion arranged on one end thereof which is adapted to fit around the harness jack, said eye portion having a balllike portion arranged on the inner periphery thereof on the side thereof opposite from said rod-like member which is adapted to be disposed in any one of the notches in said jack, a wedge member made of a yieldable material which is adapted to be arranged within said eye portion between the same and said jack directly opposite the ball-like portion of said eye portion for holding the ball-like portion securely in position in the notch in which it is disposed so that said eye fl means arranged on the end of said adjustable ,member for connecting said flexible member v a'nd harness jack, a harness connector as defined in claim 3 wherein the means arranged in the end of the adjustable member for connecting the flexible member thereto consists of a hook-like portion arranged on the adjustable member adjacent the end thereof' over which the flexible member is adapted to be looped intermediate the length thereof.

5. In a loom having a harness actuator, sheave, and frame, a harness connector comprising a longitudinally extending member having an eye portion arranged on one end thereof which fits around the harness actuator for connecting that end of the connector thereto, means arranged on the opposite end of said longitudinally extending member for adjusting the length thereof, said means having a hole arranged in the outer end thereof with the axis of the hole disposed substantially parallel to that of said longitudinally extending member,y a flexible member for connecting said longitudinally extending member to the harness frame and extending over and around the harness sheave, and a hook-shaped portion -carried by said adjustable means on the inner side of said hole arranged in the end thereof, said flexible member extending through said hole and attached to said hook-shaped portion.

' 6. In a loom having a harness actuator, sheave, and` frame, a harness connector comprising a longitudinally extending rod-like member having an eye portion arranged on one end thereof which fits around the harness actuator for connecting that end of the connector thereto, an adjustable member arranged on the opposite end of said rod-like member for adjusting the length of the connector, said adjustable member having a hole arranged in the inner end thereof through which said rod-like member is adapted "to extend, a hook-like portion arranged on .the end of said rodlike member opposite that from said eye portion. said adjustable member having a plurality of notches arranged therealong intermediate the length thereof with which the hook-'like portion member, said flexible member extending through said last mentioned y.hole and attached to said hook-shaped portion.

7. In a loom having a harness frame, sheave and a harness jack, a harness connector, as defined in claim 6, including a resilient wedgeshapedmember arranged in the irst mentioned hole of the adjustable member between the rodlike member and the sides of the hole so asto lock the end'of the rod-like member in itsladjusted position in any one of the notches ofthe adjustable member.

8. In a loom having a harness frame, sheave, and a harnessjack having a plurality of notches arranged along one edge thereof. a harness connector comprising a longitudinally extending member having an eyevportion arranged on one end thereof which fits around the harness jack, said eye portion having a ball-like portion arranged on the inner periphery thereof on the side thereof opposite from said longitudinally extending member which is disposed in any one of the notches in vsaid jack, a wedge-shaped member made of a yieldable material arranged within said eye portion in back of said jack between the same and the inner-side of said eye portion directly opposite the ball-like portion thereof for holding the ball-like portion yieldably in' position in the notch in which it is disposed so that dinally extending member, la flexible member for connecting said longitudinally extending. member to the harness frame and extending over and around the harness sheave, and a hook-shaped portion carried by said adjustable means 'on the inner side of said` hole arranged in the end thereof, said flexible member extending through said hole and attached to said hook-shaped portion.

9. In a loom having a harness frame, sheave, and a harness jack having a plurality of notches arranged along one edge thereof, a harness connector comprising a longitudinally extending member having an eye portion arranged onone l end thereof which fits around the harness jack, said eye portion having a ball-like portion arranged on the inner periphery, thereof onthe side thereof opposite from said longitudinally extending member which is disposed in any one of the notches in said jack, a wedge-shaped member made of a yieldable material arranged within said eye portion in back of said jack between the s: me and the inner side of said eye portion directly opposite the ball-like portion thereof for holding the ball-like portion yieldably in position in the notch in which it is disposed so that said eye portion is held yieldably in engagement with said jack whereby a clatterless connection is provided therebetween, an adjustable member arranged on the opposite end of said longitudinally extending member, said adjustable member having a plurality of notches arranged therealong intermediate the length thereof with which the hook-lile portion on the end of said longitudinally extending member cooperates to adjust the length of the. connection, said adjustable member having ahole arranged in the outer end thereof, a flexible member for connecting said adjustable member to the harness frame and which extends over and around the harness sheave, and a hook-shaped portion carried by said adjustable member on the inner side of said hole in the adjustable member, said flexible mem- `sheave, and frame, a harness connector comprising a longitudinally extending member having a portion arranged on one end thereof which nte arqu'nd at least part of the harness actuator and w lich has a surface confronting but spaced from t e back of the actuator, a member made of a yieldable material arranged between the back of the actuator and the confronting surface of the connecting portion for holding the harness connector yieldably in engagement with said harness actuator whereby a clatterless connection is provided therebetween, means arranged on the opposite end of said longitudinally extending member for adjusting the length thereof, and a flexible member for connecting said adjustable means to the harness frame and extending therefrom over and around the harness sheave.

'11. In a loom having a harness actuator,

sheave, and frame, a harness connector comprising a longitudinally extending member having an eye portion arranged on one end thereof j which fits around the-harness actuator for ccn- Y necting that end of the connector thereto, a member made of ajyieldable material arranged within the eye'portio'n in back of said actuator between'the same and the' inner side of said eye vportion for holding the harness connector'l harness frame and extendingtherefrom over land around the harness sheave.

maniobras. 

